[n3vino]

This is what the protection plan covers for $6.00 a month.

PROTECTION PLAN coverage includes:

1. 24-hour technical support, 7 days a week
Need assistance? Call 1-800-531-5000

2.On-site repairs and the cost associated with replacing defective equipment

3. Protection for every DIRECTV® Receiver, remote, connection/switch, satellite antenna, wiring and dish antenna realignment.

Number two is somewhat unclear or misleading. Does on site repairs cover a tech replacing a defective receiver, or does the cost associated with replacing a defective receiver mean just shipping costs? The way it can be interpreted is that a tech would bring a replacement unit and get it working.

Number three assumes that a tech would have to come in and inspect and correct any problems which also includes receivers.

Here's what I found from a link someone provide in another thread. This addresses the receiver replacement.

Equipment Replacement and Repair: At our option, we may repair or replace a remote control or receiver by utilizing shipping and delivery services at our expense. If we determine a replacement receiver is required, we will ship a new or refurbished unit with comparable features to the location where you receive DIRECTV programming. We will also provide for return shipping of the defective unit. Should you fail to return the defective unit, charges for the unreturned unit will apply.

 

[MysteryMan]

I have the Protection Plan. Last year when my HR22-100's issues could not be corrected they rolled out a truck. Service tech replaced the HR22-100 with a HR24-500, ran a system check and replaced the LNB on the dish.

 

[DodgerKing]

My review...

The biggest waste of $6/month that anyone can spend.

The end.

 

[unixguru]

I have the Protection Plan. Last year when my HR22-100's issues could not be corrected they rolled out a truck. Service tech replaced the HR22-100 with a HR24-500, ran a system check and replaced the LNB on the dish.

Does anyone know how much this would have cost without the Protection Plan?

Is there any difference in the level of service? For example, service is faster or a different skill level tech with the Protection Plan.

 

[MysteryMan]

My review...

The biggest waste of $6/month that anyone can spend.

The end.

When one can well afford the $6.00/month it's worth the convenience the plan affords.

 

[The Merg]

My review...

The biggest waste of $6/month that anyone can spend.

The end.

Let's not turn this into a thread of whether or not the PP is a good value or not. Some people like it, some people don't. Some people think it is, some people don't.

- Merg

 

[tworivers1]

Just this year changed swm and LMB. no charge. its handy when you need it, if you cant afford the 6 don't get it.

 

[MysteryMan]

Let's not turn this into a thread of whether or not the PP is a good value or not. Some people like it, some people don't. Some people think it is, some people don't.

- Merg

+1

 

[The Merg]

This is what the protection plan covers for $6.00 a month.

PROTECTION PLAN coverage includes:

1. 24-hour technical support, 7 days a week
Need assistance? Call 1-800-531-5000

2.On-site repairs and the cost associated with replacing defective equipment

3. Protection for every DIRECTV® Receiver, remote, connection/switch, satellite antenna, wiring and dish antenna realignment.

Number two is somewhat unclear or misleading. Does on site repairs cover a tech replacing a defective receiver, or does the cost associated with replacing a defective receiver mean just shipping costs? The way it can be interpreted is that a tech would bring a replacement unit and get it working.

Number three assumes that a tech would have to come in and inspect and correct any problems which also includes receivers.

Here's what I found from a link someone provide in another thread. This addresses the receiver replacement.

Equipment Replacement and Repair: At our option, we may repair or replace a remote control or receiver by utilizing shipping and delivery services at our expense. If we determine a replacement receiver is required, we will ship a new or refurbished unit with comparable features to the location where you receive DIRECTV programming. We will also provide for return shipping of the defective unit. Should you fail to return the defective unit, charges for the unreturned unit will apply.

For a defective receiver, it really depends on the CSR that you talk to whether or not a tech will come out. In some cases, they want to make sure that nothing else is causing the problem, so they will send out a tech to check the receiver and determine if there is another cause.

If they can definitely determine that the issue is just the receiver itself, 99% of the time they will just ship out a new receiver to you.

- Merg

 

[DodgerKing]

When one can well afford the $6.00/month it's worth the convenience the plan affords.

I can afford it...Like most protection plans or extended warranties, it is not worth paying for it.

I've been with DirecTV for 10 years. If I paid for PP during that whole time I would have spent between $600-$700 (remember it used to less than $6). There is nothing that I have with DirecTV that is worth that much money. The most expensive things are the DVRs and they are replaced for free anyway if the die. The only thing the PP does is pay for the shipping.

 

[MysteryMan]

Does anyone know how much this would have cost without the Protection Plan?

Is there any difference in the level of service? For example, service is faster or a different skill level tech with the Protection Plan.

From my experience whenever I call DirecTV and ask to speak with a rep I'm connected with a Protection Plan CSR. Their skill level is above the average CSRs.

 

[DodgerKing]

Let's not turn this into a thread of whether or not the PP is a good value or not. Some people like it, some people don't. Some people think it is, some people don't.

- Merg

OK. So only one view is accepted? I get it.

I am just posting why I think it is a waste of money. If others don't, that is their perspective. Showing all sides gives others a better understanding. I will post my take regardless of what you think.

Receiver/DVR replacement is free without PP. You only pay for shipping
When a tech comes out he usually checks all equipment and lines anyway and replaces things that are bad. The couple of times I had one come out he did just that and did not charge me at all. I was only charged for the alignment (I now do the alignment on my own).
Remotes: I have 5 sitting in my closet that haven't even been taken out of the packaging.
Dishes: I have 1 HD dish and 2 SD dishes sitting in my garage. Whenever a neighbor moves I ask them for their dish and they give them too me.

 

[MysteryMan]

I can afford it...Like most protection plans or extended warranties, it is not worth paying for it.

I've been with DirecTV for 10 years. If I paid for PP during that whole time I would have spent between $600-$700 (remember it used to less than $6). There is nothing that I have with DirecTV that is worth that much money. The most expensive things are the DVRs and they are replaced for free anyway if the die. The only thing the PP does is pay for the shipping.

With my income the $600-$700 over the ten years is pocket change. So again, it's worth the convenience.

 

[n3vino]

I have the Protection Plan. Last year when my HR22-100's issues could not be corrected they rolled out a truck. Service tech replaced the HR22-100 with a HR24-500, ran a system check and replaced the LNB on the dish.

Good to know. My main reason for going with the PP is that I believed that they would send a tech to replace a receiver which would result in a much better chance of getting same model replacement. But that does not appear to be the case.

I hadn't considered that there could be a problem with the dish or LNB. But wouldn't that also be on D* to get any problem that interferes with receiving their programing corrected? Or would there be a charge for the tech and/or LNB?

I know that TW and AT&T Uverse (I only have internet) do not charge for tech's coming out to correct problems. They look at everything outside of the home, replace connectors in and out of the home as well as receivers and run diagonostics. The exception are the wires and/or cables inside the home which there is a charge for. Not sure about my U-Verse router.

 

[The Merg]

OK. So only one view is accepted? I get it.

I am just posting why I think it is a waste of money. If others don't, that is their perspective. Showing all sides gives others a better understanding. I will post my take regardless of what you think.

That wasn't my point. The OP posted a specific question about the PP. The question had nothing to do about whether the PP was a good value or not. There've been enough threads here debating that. I just figured we didn't need another one.

- Merg

 

[n3vino]

For a defective receiver, it really depends on the CSR that you talk to whether or not a tech will come out. In some cases, they want to make sure that nothing else is causing the problem, so they will send out a tech to check the receiver and determine if there is another cause.

If they can definitely determine that the issue is just the receiver itself, 99% of the time they will just ship out a new receiver to you.

- Merg

Good info. Thanks.

 

[DodgerKing]

With my income the $600-$700 over the ten years is pocket change. So again, it's worth the convenience.

It is not about being able to afford it; it is about the value of what you are paying. Is what you pay enough to offset the typical out of pocket expenses you may accumulate without the PP? IMO, no. Most people will never come close to having to spend $600 out of their own pocket to replace equipment.

My point is if people decide to purchase the PP they have to ask themselves, is it worth spending extra money even if it is not all that much?

And, how often will I need it, or how often do most people use it? If it is not very often, then is it still cost effective?

If it is to you, fine, pay for it. If it is not, then don't.

During the 10 years I had a tech come twice. One for an alignment and one for a free equipment replacement upgrade. The only charge too me was the alignment. Both times the tech checked everything and made sure all was good. Even left a couple of remotes. When I think about how much I spent out of my own pocket and how much I would have spent with the PP, it is not worth it.

Everyone I know with DirecTV has a similar experience with mine. It is just not needed enough to spend the money for it.

 

[DodgerKing]

That wasn't my point. The OP posted a specific question about the PP. The question had nothing to do about whether the PP was a good value or not. There've been enough threads here debating that. I just figured we didn't need another one.

- Merg

I understand. I'm done.

 

[MysteryMan]

Good to know. My main reason for going with the PP is that I believed that they would send a tech to replace a receiver which would result in a much better chance of getting same model replacement. But that does not appear to be the case.

I hadn't considered that there could be a problem with the dish or LNB. But wouldn't that also be on D* to get any problem that interferes with receiving their programing corrected? Or would there be a charge for the tech and/or LNB?

I know that TW and AT&T Uverse (I only have internet) do not charge for tech's coming out to correct problems. They look at everything outside of the home, replace connectors in and out of the home as well as receivers and run diagonostics. The exception are the wires and/or cables inside the home which there is a charge for. Not sure about my U-Verse router.

Unfortunately there's no predicting what model number receivers the tech will have on his truck. The only sure way of getting a specific model receiver is by purchasing one from a site like SolidSignal. In my case I lucked out by getting a HR24-500. As I stated before whenever I call DirecTV and ask to speak with a rep I'm connected with a Protection Plan CSR and from my experience with them they are more skilled and knoweledgeable than a standard CSR. For me that's worth paying for the convenience I mentioned.

 

[n3vino]

That wasn't my point. The OP posted a specific question about the PP. The question had nothing to do about whether the PP was a good value or not. There've been enough threads here debating that. I just figured we didn't need another one.

- Merg

I didn't mean to start any arguments. It's hard to know what I was thinking by the way I posted it. I really wanted to know how it works, what experienced others have had with PP, and then determine if it's a good value for me or not. That should settle that.